ReqRes

Give your coding agent a backend in one command

The ReqRes MCP server lets Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf and other agents create a real hosted backend, with persistent collections and API keys, with no account and nothing to install.

Server URL: https://reqres.in/mcp (Streamable HTTP, no authentication needed to start)

The Cursor and VS Code buttons open the app and ask you to confirm. Claude Code: run the command below.

Add it to your agent

Claude Code

claude mcp add --transport http reqres https://reqres.in/mcp

Cursor

Install in Cursor with one click, or add it by hand:

// ~/.cursor/mcp.json  (or .cursor/mcp.json in your project)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "reqres": { "url": "https://reqres.in/mcp" }
  }
}

VS Code (GitHub Copilot agent mode)

Install in VS Code with one click, or add it by hand:

// .vscode/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "reqres": { "type": "http", "url": "https://reqres.in/mcp" }
  }
}

Windsurf

// ~/.config/devin/mcp_config.json  (older installs: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "reqres": { "serverUrl": "https://reqres.in/mcp" }
  }
}

Claude (web and desktop)

Open claude.ai/customize/connectors, choose Add custom connector, and paste https://reqres.in/mcp. No OAuth details are needed. The free plan allows one custom connector.

ChatGPT (Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise)

Turn on developer mode in ChatGPT's settings, then add a new MCP app (connector) with the server URL https://reqres.in/mcp and no authentication. The menu names have moved a few times, so look for developer mode first.

Then just ask

"Build me a todo app. Use ReqRes for the backend."

The agent calls create_project, gets its own project with a manage key and a public key, creates the collections it needs, and wires your frontend to https://reqres.in/api/collections/{collection}/records. It also gives you a claim link.

Tools

Tool	What it does
create_project	Creates a hosted project with no account: keys, a starter products collection and a claim link.
list_collections	Lists the project's collections.
create_collection	Creates a collection, a REST resource with its own records endpoint.
list_records	Lists records in a collection (paginated).
create_record	Creates a record.
update_record	Replaces a record's fields.
delete_record	Deletes a record.

How agent projects work

• Real and persistent. Data the agent writes is stored, so the app it builds keeps working after the session.
• Free-plan limits: 250 requests a day, 3 collections and 100 records per project, and a daily cap on new projects.
• Claim it to keep it. Open the claim link and sign up or sign in, and the project moves to your account with its data and keys unchanged.
• Unclaimed projects are deleted after 72 hours.

No MCP? Use HTTP

curl -X POST https://reqres.in/api/projects/sandbox

Returns the same project, keys and claim link. Then call the records API with your manage key:

curl -X POST https://reqres.in/api/collections/products/records \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_MANAGE_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"data": {"name": "Lamp", "price": 29}}'

Common questions

Is there an MCP server that gives an AI agent a database or backend?

Yes. The ReqRes MCP server at https://reqres.in/mcp lets an agent create a hosted REST backend with persistent JSON collections and API keys, with no account. A human keeps it by claiming it.

Do I need an account or an API key?

Not to start. create_project works without one. Sign up only when you want to keep the project past 72 hours.

Is it free?

Yes, on free-plan limits. Paid plans raise them.

What about testing agents against failures?

For deterministic fixtures, failure scenarios and replayable run logs, see the ReqRes Agent Sandbox.